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Arsenal vs Vorskla OFF? Europa League clash in doubt after fresh twist after Kiev switch
ARSENAL’s Europa League clash with Vorskla Poltava is in major doubt following the fixture being moved over to security concerns.
Arsenal players train ahead of their match against Vorskla
UEFA's emergency committee decided to move the Gunners’ Group E clash with the Ukrainian side to Kiev last night due to safety fears in Poltava.
But less than 24 hours after the fixture was moved, the game itself is in danger of not being played.
Earlier today, Vorlska vice president Oleh Lysak claimed the match may not go ahead as the club have yet to receive confirmation of the game being held at Kiev’s Olympic Stadium or any information regarding tickets.
He said: “The Olympic Stadium hasn't given us any kind of confirmation or any other kind of answer.”
The initial decision to move the fixture to Kiev came after tensions been Ukraine and Russia ramped up again in Crimea, which is 321 miles away from Poltava.
On Monday, three Ukrainian navy ships were shot in the Black Sea by their Russian counterparts.
Russian troops then seized three ships, which had a total of 23 crew members, an act which prompted the Ukrainian government to implement Martial Law.
It’s understood that around 500 Arsenal fans are planning on travelling for tomorrow’s game.
Let it be an additional motivation
The club have contacted each ticketholder to inform them of the situation and the new arrangements for the match.
Vorlska fans will face a difficult task to attend the match due to poor weather conditions.
Manager Vasyl Sachko is disappointed that the game has been moved to the Kiev but has called on his side to use the whole saga as extra motivation to cause a huge upset tomorrow night.
He said: “I am not the organiser of the tournament. The club does everything possible to play at home.
“For us, let it be an additional motivation.
“We need support from our city and our country. We protect our honour and this situation is an additional motivation.”
Arsenal have already sealed their passage to the last 32 of the Europa League and currently top Group E by three points.